Relocating to Dallas with Kids - Heath? Flower Mound? Lakewood? (Mesquite: 2013, power lines)

[carroll4628]

Thank you all for the insight. I'm not even going to entertain Flower Mound or McKinney. An updated ranch would be in our price range in Lakewood (fortunately with the no state income tax that gives me something to work with, or atleast pay the property taxes with). Having lived in a 1950s craftsman home in Seatlle (no kids), then a McMansion in Alpharetta, GA (w/kids), I'm looking for a quaint neighborhood and hubby is looking for a place for all our 'stuff' (or kids). It's all about trade-offs.

[TurtleCreek80]

Then Lakewood sounds like a great fit! The streets just south of Mockingbird, east of Abrams are filled with very nicely remodeled, sprawling ranch homes (that 3,000sf is all on 1 level)- many of which are on 1/3 acre lots. Lakewood Elementary School is located in that area- off Hillside & Vanderbilt.

Check zip 75214 on realtor.com or other sites with the whole MLS showing. You want homes zoned for Lakewood Elem. Streets are named Kenwood, Ellsworth, Merrilee, Alexander, Vanderbilt, Lakefair Circle, Frontier Lane, Bob-o-link, Southridge, etc.

[debtex]

Don't miss out on Lake Highlands...we live in Lakewood and love it, but Lake Highlands is a wonderful place to live too (and significantly less expensive.) Make sure you're looking in Richardson ISD neighborhoods. You'll find larger houses on larger lots for a lot less money, with old growth trees and easy access to downtown. It's just one more option...

I just can't understand why people live so far north and work downtown. The mind boggles.

[getmeoutofhere]

Flower Mound is very nice, and has everything you want. Schools are very good all the way through HS, so no worries there. You'll be able to get more house for less money, and there will be a lot less traffic and general unpleasantness than there will be in Dallas.

However, it will be about a 45 - 60 minute commute every morning. If I leave around 7:00, I get there around 8:00-ish. If I leave around 6:40, I get there around 7:25.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by getmeoutofhere

Flower Mound is very nice, and has everything you want. Schools are very good all the way through HS, so no worries there. You'll be able to get more house for less money, and there will be a lot less traffic and general unpleasantness than there will be in Dallas.

However, it will be about a 45 - 60 minute commute every morning. If I leave around 7:00, I get there around 8:00-ish. If I leave around 6:40, I get there around 7:25.

Most people would consider sitting in traffic for 10 hours a week (10 precious hours away from spouse/kids/ extra sleep in the AM) "unpleasant".

What is this "general unpleasantness" you think we who live in the city of Dallas endure? Contrary to your beliefs, there isn't much traffic when you live in Dallas. The major traffic is isolated to highways during rush hour. After work and on the weekends, you never get stuck in traffic jams while running errands, going to kids soccer games, or out to dinner at night. In fact, I think there is much more sitting in traffic in Southlake, Frisco and other suburbs whose infrastructure wasn't built for the populations those areas now have.

I love how those who never spend any time in the city other than working love to "subtly" bash city life.....

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Most people would consider sitting in traffic for 10 hours a week (10 precious hours away from spouse/kids/ extra sleep in the AM) "unpleasant".

What is this "general unpleasantness" you think we who live in the city of Dallas endure? Contrary to your beliefs, there isn't much traffic when you live in Dallas. The major traffic is isolated to highways during rush hour. After work and on the weekends, you never get stuck in traffic jams while running errands, going to kids soccer games, or out to dinner at night. In fact, I think there is much more sitting in traffic in Southlake, Frisco and other suburbs whose infrastructure wasn't built for the populations those areas now have.

I love how those who never spend any time in the city other than working love to "subtly" bash city life.....

This is so true. Even on the weekends if I go visit friends in Frisco, I'm sitting in major traffic on the city streets once I get there, even if the tollroad was clear all the way. Weekends in my area are completely peaceful. I'll be running out to do some errands in a while here and I don't even have to think about how to avoid traffic in order to get them done in a timely manner and without too much hassle.

[5stones]

IF you can afford Lakewood then yes look there. (yes it's one of the NICEST areas in Dallas...thus it has the price tag to go with it)
But I would also look into Richardson and sections of Dallas that attend Richardson ISD.
I also would say if you are look out more suburbish then look at Garland (closer than Rowlett)

As you said you have a 1st grader, PLENTY of very good elementary schools to choose from.
You are wise to not even look at MS/HS... you will probably be re-located before you child is old enough.

Just use the same rule for here as you would for someone i nMD loking to commute to DC....live as close to work as possible for your budget. (you don't want to be house poor nor do you want to have your hubby spending hour+ each way to work)

Welcome!

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by Big G

Downtown to McKinney, Flower Mound, or Heath? You'd have to be stark raving nuts to sign up for any of those commutes. Plus, you'd be far removed from the DART system.

The DART works great for commuting to/from work. If you want suburban life without having to drive 60+ minutes every day, get a house close to the north endpoints for the Red, Green, or Blue Line. 5 minutes of driving to the Park and Ride, 45 minutes of kicking back and reading the morning paper or whatever. Low stress, low hassle.

If you want to live closer in, consider the Lake Highlands area of Dallas. Cheaper homes than Lakewood, Richardson ISD schools, and a DART station.

100% agree! Wow, I know folks who moved from NJ and were bedazzled by the big new inexpensive homes in Heath and disregarded our admonishments. House has now been for sale for over a year now along with all the many, many other beautiful homes in the outlying areas. If you are seriously interested in FM, McK or Heath why don't you rent something there first. So many vacant newer homes on the market, betcha can find a rental easily. Then you can test hubby's commute tolerance and also the new job situation while you get to know Dallas better.

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by carroll4628

Thank you all for the insight. I'm not even going to entertain Flower Mound or McKinney. An updated ranch would be in our price range in Lakewood (fortunately with the no state income tax that gives me something to work with, or atleast pay the property taxes with). Having lived in a 1950s craftsman home in Seatlle (no kids), then a McMansion in Alpharetta, GA (w/kids), I'm looking for a quaint neighborhood and hubby is looking for a place for all our 'stuff' (or kids). It's all about trade-offs.

Opps! I didn't catch your post. Smart!

[Big G]

Originally Posted by 5stones

You are wise to not even look at MS/HS... you will probably be re-located before you child is old enough.

Not so sure I agree with this. The years go by faster than you think. Plus, the OP's husband is being relocated to AT&T's main corporate office here in Dallas, so he may be here for the long haul.

I live in a pocket of Plano where the middle school kids are bussed 4+ miles to a school in Dallas. I know at least some of my neighbors were unpleasantly suprised to find that out, because they hadn't thought any farther ahead than the elementary school a few blocks away.

In the case at hand here, the Lakewood vs. Lake Highlands debate, I think you have to carefully consider Long MS in DISD vs. the Richardson ISD middle schools, even if that's years down the road.